Palm Beach County's National Cemetery Dedication

In May, 1999, my daughter, Robin as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, went before Congress to request funds for a National Cemetery here in Palm Beach. It took nine years for her dream to become a reality. I proudly include here her address, which I have shortened to accomodate this blog.

3000 Expected at Dedication of Palm Beach's National Cemetery on Sunday, March 9 2pm at Rte.441 and Lantana Rd.

This will be a "show case" event (Palm Beach Post)

TESTIMONY OF
ROBIN L. HIGGINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS
MAY 20, 1999

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, Distinguished Guests:

Thank you for allowing me to appear before this Committee as you address these important issues. I represent a state with over 1.7 million veterans, the second largest veterans’ population in the country. Florida also has the oldest veterans’ population and one of the largest remaining populations of World War II veterans. Interment in a final resting place that reflects the honor with which they served their country is a matter of considerable priority to them and to me.
Our vision of a model National Cemetery is, of course, Arlington National Cemetery. It is peaceful, hallowed ground in the midst of urban congestion. We can travel only a few minutes from this very room, leave all the noise and disruptions of the Beltway behind us, and find ourselves in a place of honor for our fellow patriots and heroes, a place that is suitable for quiet reflection.
Certainly, Florida doesn’t face some of the maintenance challenges that the northern states face with respect to weather. However, the Florida National Cemetery has set an example in sound management of its resources and in partnering with state and local government entities to enhance appearance while reducing costs. For example, the Florida National Cemetery recently entered into a partnership with the State of Florida and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to establish a 2-million gallon retention pond to use reclaimed water from the state for irrigation. The project results in saving millions of gallons of water from the Florida aquifer and helps to keep the lawns at the Cemetery looking beautiful.
In my estimation, perhaps the most important maintenance issue facing us in Florida relates to the VA’s plan for our increased future needs. It is obvious that as more and more veterans are buried each year, it will take additional funds to maintain the higher numbers of grave sites properly. The Florida National Cemetery has seen incredible increases in burial activity since it opened in 1988. That year, it took in 288 casketed burials and 169 cremation burials. In contrast, last year they had 2,855 casketed burials and 2,278 cremation burials – an increase of over 1,000 percent in just 10 years! It is currently the third most active National Cemetery in the entire system. And increases of nine percent annually are projected between now and 2008. I am concerned that the VA’s long-term plan for maintenance may not adequately address our future needs.
As a responsible American, I am aware of the need to spend our tax dollars wisely. However, I can assure you that our veterans’ Cemeteries are not the place to settle for a minimal level of care. The value to Americans everywhere and to the families of our fallen soldiers in particular, makes the investment in our National Cemeteries worthwhile. Honoring veterans whose service has guaranteed our way of life sets a critically needed example for our children as well.
Mr. Chairman, I urge this Committee to endorse adequate funding for the upkeep of our National Cemeteries -- now and in the outyears -- and to insist that those funds are managed properly and efficiently, thereby ensuring that our National Cemeteries remain a source of pride and dignity for all Americans.
Since we have broached the subject of future National Cemeteries and maintenance costs, please permit me to address a particular need of the veterans of my home state of Florida.
As I mentioned earlier, Florida has the oldest veterans’ population of any state. Yet we have only one other National Cemetery besides Florida National Cemetery accepting casketed remains. Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg only accepts cremated remains for initial interment. And St. Augustine National Cemetery is only 1.4 acres in size, and while a very nice historical site, it is essentially closed. None of these cemeteries is closer than 250 miles to the largest segment of our oldest, densest, and fastest growing population of veterans -- south Florida. In fact, in studies conducted by the VA in 1987 and again in 1994, south Florida was listed both times as a priority for a National Cemetery in terms of need. But, one has yet to be built.
Mr. Chairman, we must bury these veterans with the honor they deserve, close enough to their homes and their families so that they will not be forgotten. I am told that, sadly, a number of deceased veterans’ remains make the 5-hour trip from south Florida to the Florida National Cemetery each month; all too often, unaccompanied by any family at all because of the long distance.
South Florida is long overdue for a National Cemetery, and it is fundamentally wrong for us to delay its construction until the time when it just doesn’t matter anymore. As Congresswoman Brown so eloquently stated, “The time for evaluating the needs of southern Florida is long past and the time for action is rapidly slipping away.” I pledge to work with any member of this committee and each member of the Florida delegation to see that we bring a new National Veterans’ Cemetery in south Florida into reality. On behalf of the 1.7 million veterans in Florida, many of whom have grown up and lived in other states all over the Nation before coming to Florida to live out their remaining years, I humbly ask for your help.
Winston Churchill is attributed with once saying that a nation that does not honor its heroes will soon have no heroes to honor. Mr. Chairman, it is absolutely essential to the character and the core values of this country that we continue to honor our heroes. Every man and woman who place themselves in harm’s way for this country deserves the recognition that accrues from this sacrifice. They are the heroes among us. They deserve the honor and recognition of a decent burial in a hallowed place. They deserve a vibrant National Cemetery System.
Mr. Chairman, I request your indulgence for a moment of personal reflection. My husband, Colonel Rich Higgins, who died at the hands of terrorists while serving his country, is buried at Quantico National Cemetery, just down I-95. I visit him every chance I get. Words cannot express how important it is to me that he is at rest on American soil in a place of dignity and peace. The value of seeing his grave site, and others around him, kept to such a high standard cannot be measured in mere dollars. I would be heartbroken and feel that Rich’s sacrifice for his country was diminished if I went there and found anything less.
I urge this panel to do whatever it takes to ensure that every American hero, past, present and future is secure in the promise that they will be laid to rest in the arms of a grateful Nation.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my testimony. Again, please permit me to extend my appreciation for your attention. I would be glad to entertain your questions.

ROBIN LEE HIGGINS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FLORIDA DEP'T OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS


--www.homeoftheredbaron.blogspot.com

"Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty!" (AYLI)

Today was the opening day of the Huntington Lakes Senior Olympic Games; Altius, Citius, Fortius which means "Swifter, Higher, Stronger". However, in our case it should be "Slower, Lower, and Weaker." Consequently, the athletic event of the day was our entrance into the Canasta Tournament. We played five different couples three games each. The highest scores won the gold, silver, and bronze medals. We had a very high score, but finished fourth. But it's not whether you win or lose; it's whether your opponents cheated better than you, or if the refs took bribes to fix the cards.

We started this Herculean endeavor at 12 p.m against overwhelming odds. Most of the couples we played against weighed much more than we do. However, we certainly were not intimidated by this. I'm sure Las Vegas covered the spread. We ended up the contest at 3:30pm and since we had no lunch we went to Lox Around the Clock for what I suppose we'd have to call "Lupper". Rho had a shrimp salad sandwich with a cup of chicken soup. And I ordered perogies with a sesame bagel. The waitress said that the entree does not come with a bagel. I said that the menu stated that all entrees in that section said you get a bagel, lettuce, tomato, pickle, cucumber, potato salad and cole slaw. The manager came over and said that there was a mistake in the menu. I told him I shouldn't have to pay for their mistake. He finally agreed to give me the bagel, but the potato salad never showed up. Also, the perogies turned out to be potato pancakes. I told the manager that I was given potato pancakes, but he insisted they were perogies. If they were not potato pancakes (which they really were) then they were the worst perogies I ever ate. Well, nowadays that's the way of the world--topsy turvy.

"Altius, Citius, Fortius" (Swifter, Higher, Stronger) Olympic Slogan

I'm really proud that I have produced 168 blogs since August. It's not very easy to decide each day what you have to write about that might prove of interest to any reader. Of course family would have an interest; but what about non-family...friends? Or even strangers? 168 blogs might even comprise another book. But then who would ever buy it. It's just a journal and it's all history. But, nevertheless, even if no one reads it, it's good therapy for me to write, since whatever I used to do, comes difficult to do anymore. My neighbor, Billy, says he was depressed the other day, and I advised him to pick up his hammer and build something. Bill says he only feels "alive" when he is doing something with his hands. I can understand that; he's a "hands" person, and I'm a "verbal" person. Except when I'm at dinner with "hands" people. It seems that as soon as "hands" people go out to dinner, the hammer and nails go out the window and they become verbal people. I don't mind; I believe I'm a good listener and I cease to become verbal and sort of fade into the background. Especially if I have no interest in the subject and the "hands" people drone on and on.

Today I was honored to attend the City of Hope Donors' Luncheon I mentioned the other day. It was held at a posh country club in Boca and the buffet offered salmon, chicken salad, egg salad, and tuna salad along with fresh Romaine lettuce for a garden salad. But disappointingly so, I don't eat any of those things. Fortunately they did offer bagels, so I enjoyed some bagel and butter and a glass of water. I never thought that at a function where my wife is president, I'd have to eat bread and water. I asked the waiter who may or may not have a green card if I could get a diet coke. He said it would be $5.50. I told him that I can't imagine what a regular coke would cost; but I don't think he got the joke.

Tomorrow Rhoda and I are entered in the Senior Olympics as athletes in a Canasta tournament. I have been lifting decks of cards now for a couple of weeks in training for the event and got so good at it, I graduated to lazy susans. I got to the point where I could lift 104 cards in one hand and the lazy susan in the other. Rhoda has been my trainer and she has admonished and warned me on several occasions that I am not supposed to talk during the game. I will let you all know how it turns out, since we were not able to convince ESPN to televise it. Hoyle would have been the color commentator; but unfortunately--I believe he's dead.

"O! How full of briers is this working day world!" (AYLI)

My Geico auto policy expires on March 23 and when we traded Rhoda's Cavalier for a 2008 Malibu, I requested the changes in our coverage to include the new car. When they sent an email with the new premiums, the charges on my 1999 Malibu went up considerably. When I inquired as to why the increases I was told that it had to do with "age risk". The yearly premium would be $2400. I told them on the phone that I had been with Geico for 60 years and that fact did me no good whatsoever. Consequently I went online to AAA, AARP, and METLIFE. For the same coverage as Geico, MetLife's premioum for the year is $1400--a thousand dollars cheaper than Geico. So, as required by law when switching auto insurance companies, we brought both cars to a repair shop for inspections. It was a hassle, but what can you do? Rules are rules. Right? I believe it was Moses who went back up the mountain for a confirmation number for the Commandments and received an 11th--"Thou shalt not break a rule." And a 12th--"Thou shall honor thy insurance companies." And the Lord said to Moses, "Thou now hast a baker's dozen and for the extra two, there will be no charge." All this must be so, because after the inspection of the two cars, we were told there would be no charge. Funny how things work out.

Tomorrow afternoon somewhere in Boca, the City of Hope is having a "donors' luncheon". I'm not sure what that is, but I am going because my wife is the President, and the food is free (just like the inspections--we must be living right!). Then on Thursday, Rhoda and I are entered in a Canasta tournament which is part of the "Senior Olympics" they have here every spring. I suppose the winners will get gold medals. I really don't have any more room for medals...or trophies. It's the custom to award medals. I wish they'd go back to the old days when they would place a wreath on the winner's head. Friday is Rhoda's bowling day and daughter Robin is coming in Saturday for Sunday's dedication of the National Cemetery in Lake Worth. It's going to be a really busy March--it truly comes in like a lion. But beware the Ides. JC didn't and look what happened in 44BC(E).

Heroes, heroism, and the Golden Mean

The other day I was reminded about many things I have thought about for many years and on many occasions; that is the concept of "heroism". Webster defines heroism as "a heroic act especially in fullfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end." A friend upon introducing me to a grandchild recently said that I was a "war hero". I took exception to that designation and reminded him that the true heroes were not the survivors, but those who fought and didn't come back. People tend to make heroes of "warriors" when actually heroism abounds in the lives of ordinary people like ourselves--people with the moral virtues and courage to accept and meet the challenges of life, people who aspire to greatness, people who change our lives and ultimately the lives of others. Hannibal didn't say that the mountain was "too high"; Washington didn't say Valley Forge was "too cold". They found themselves in conditions they didn't choose but acted upon them with good judgment and with courage.

In Aristotle's "Nichomachean Ethics" he defines the moral virtues--like courage--as being in a "mean state" between two vices--one of defect and one of excess. Consequently courage is a virtue, foolhardiness is a defect--a lack of sufficient fear, and cowardice a defect that is an excess of fear. So, by this philosophy, who is the hero? Certainly not the person who is fearless; it is the person who has an excess of fear and who overcomes it in order to change his own life and perhaps the life of another--or many others. My heroes are Joan d'Arc, Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur, the Jews at Masada, Julius Caesar (who went to the Senate in spite of the warnings), Lincoln, Einstein, the Wright Brothers, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Drs. Salk and Sabin, and if you will allow me--Koufax, Jordan, Lennon & Ali.

A full life offers many opportunities for heroism. In New York on 9/11 the firefighters knew their job was dangerous, and for certain when they entered the towers to rescue people they were not without fear. The fire was their antagonist, but they pressed on with nobility and courage. They were heroes. No matter what your job or situation happens to be, life deals you a hand; if you don't leave the table, but stay the game, you too can be a hero. A soldier in battle, faces death at any moment; yet he knows what he must do. If he sees a grenade thrown at his buddy's feet and he throws his body on it--it's an automatic act; fear or no fear does not enter into his action. It is something that he must do. And those who were never in battle, find it impossible to understand. As far as my being a "war hero" I've done more heroic things in my life out of uniform rather than in it.